The Dallas Cowboys hired first-time head coach Brian Schottenheimer this past March in an effort to bring a fresh energy and culture to the organization.

Although Schottenheimer is a rookie head coach, he has strong NFL bloodlines as the son of his late father, Marty, who spent over 30 years coaching in the league—including 21 seasons as a head coach. With 205 career wins, Marty ranks ninth on the NFL’s all-time head coach wins list, leaving behind a legacy his son now seeks to build upon in Dallas.

“I know he’s proud,” Schottenheimer said of Marty. “I miss him. I would tell him that I used all the life lessons he taught me, not just about football but about life and being a good man and a good husband and a good father. I think I’m doing OK  for myself.

“I miss him like crazy. … Father’s Day will be a special day. I’m obviously a father of two amazing kids. Talked to my mom and I know he’s looking down on me.“

And then he joked to the media, “I appreciate you making me get teared up!”

After a successful offseason program, the Cowboys are entering a five-week break before training camp and Schottenheimer will continue to lean on the lessons learned from his father Marty.

“I love these guys. I want to be around these guys,” Schottenheimer said. “There’ll be some nights, I’m sure when I’m lying in bed on vacation. And thinking back to how this offseason has gone. Has it been perfect? No. Has it been really good? Yeah, it’s been really good.”

The Dallas Cowboys will look to carry their offseason momentum into training camp in Oxnard as they prepare for what could be a special 2025 season.